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Significant Fish Kill Reported in Northern Ireland's Six Mile Water River
6 Oct
Summary
- Voluntary group finds numerous dead and distressed fish in Six Mile Water river
- Incident being investigated by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
- Concerns over impact on salmon and trout populations during spawning season
On October 6th, 2025, a significant fish kill has been reported in the Six Mile Water river in Ballyclare, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Members of the Six Mile Water Trust (SMWT), a voluntary group, have discovered numerous dead fish being washed downstream and "numerous" others in distress.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has confirmed that the incident is being investigated. The Six Mile Water is one of the main rivers flowing into Lough Neagh, a vital waterway in the region.
Jim Gregg from the SMWT expressed concerns about the wider impact of the fish kill, particularly on the salmon and trout populations that typically come to the river to spawn at this time of year. He described finding dead fish for at least two miles along the river, which he believes could have a significant effect on the local fish populations.
The incident comes after several major fish kills on the Six Mile Water and its tributaries in recent years. Authorities are working to determine the cause of the latest incident and assess the environmental impact.
